The Protect Democracy Project submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Justice for records concerning contacts between DOJ and the White House pertaining to the Disney-21st Century Fox proposed merger. PDP also requested a fee waiver. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. The Office of Information Policy told PDP that due to unusual circumstances it could not process the request within the statutory time limit. The request also went to the Anti-Trust Division, which did not acknowledge the request. After hearing nothing further from the agency, PDP filed suit.Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Vaughn index, Litigation - Attorney's fees

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 3/26/2018. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 4/25/2018. (Florence, Justin) (Entered: 04/05/2018)

2018-04-05

5

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 03/26/2018. (Florence, Justin) (Entered: 04/05/2018)

2018-04-05

6

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE served on 3/26/2016 (Florence, Justin) (Entered: 04/05/2018)

2018-04-24

7

ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.(Haynes, Fred) (Entered: 04/24/2018)

2018-04-26

8

ORDER. Both a Complaint and an Answer are now before the court in this FOIA case. It is hereby ordered that the parties shall meet and confer and file a Joint Status Report on or before May 8, 2018. See attached Order for details. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 04/26/2018. (lcapm3) (Entered: 04/26/2018)

Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File the Parties' Joint Status Report by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Haynes, Fred) (Entered: 05/08/2018)

2018-05-09

MINUTE ORDER granting 9 Consent Motion for Extension of Time. The parties shall file the Joint Status Report no later than May 11, 2018. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 05/09/2018. (lcapm3) (Entered: 05/09/2018)

MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report no later than November 9, 2018, regarding Defendant's search for and production of responsive material. The parties shall propose a summary judgment briefing schedule, if appropriate. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 10/11/2018. (lcapm3) (Entered: 10/11/2018)

Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Joint Status Report by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Haynes, Fred) (Entered: 11/09/2018)

2018-11-13

MINUTE ORDER granting Defendant's 13 Consent Motion for Extension of Time to File Joint Status Report. The Joint Status Report shall be due on or before November 14, 2018. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 11/13/2018. (lcapm3) (Entered: 11/13/2018)

MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall file an additional Joint Status Report no later than January 17, 2019, updating the court on whether there remains a dispute over attorney's fees. If so, the parties shall propose a briefing schedule to resolve that issue. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 12/21/2018. (lcapm3) (Entered: 12/21/2018)

MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall advise the court no later than March 12, 2019, whether they have resolved the fees issue. Unless resolved, the parties shall propose a briefing schedule. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 02/14/2019. (lcapm3) (Entered: 02/14/2019)